Meanings of 金
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 金
Podcast: 金
Podcast: 金
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 金
银 (yín) - use '金' for gold specifically, while '银' refers to silver.
Imagine a shiny gold coin with the character '金' stamped on it, glimmering in the sunlight. The character itself resembles a pair of 'golden' pillars supporting wealth, helping you remember that '金' stands for gold and money.
Be careful not to confuse '金' with similar characters that depict other metals or coins. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing wealth or materials. Common collocations include 金钱 (jīnqián - money) and 黄金 (huángjīn - gold bullion).
Though '金' is not an official HSK word, it connects well with vocabulary related to wealth and materials. Students should focus on its various uses in contexts of economics and culture, as well as its role in family names.
In Chinese culture, gold symbolizes wealth and success, often used in traditional practices like gifting gold coins during the Lunar New Year for good fortune. The character '金' also appears in many idiomatic expressions and proverbs related to prosperity.
Learners often confuse '金' with '木' (mù - wood) due to the similar structure. For example, writing '金' when they mean 'wood' in contexts like furniture can lead to misunderstandings; remember '金' pertains to metals and wealth.
Pronunciation of 金
Drill the tone of 金 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 金
Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 今 represents the sound. 王 is used here because it originally was a pictograph of an axe head, which is made from metal.
A cast-iron bell
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 金?
Decomposition of 金
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 金?
Write 金
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 金 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 金
金 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我参加中文水平考试是为了获得奖学____去中国留学。
My taking the Chinese proficiency exam is in order to get a scholarship to study abroad in China.
Common Confusions with 金
金 is often used as a radical for metal-related characters.
Similar pronunciation but different meaning, often confused in writing.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "gold"?
Usage Notes for 金
Learners often confuse 金 with other characters that include the metal radical, such as 钅 and 锦.
金和钅的区别是什么？
What is the difference between 金 and 钅?
Fill in the Blank
____和钅的区别是什么？
What is the difference between 金 and 钅?
Example Sentences for 金 (10)
Cultural Notes for 金
In Chinese culture, gold is associated with wealth and prosperity. It is often used in decorations during festivals, such as Chinese New Year, symbolizing good fortune and happiness.
In Chinese culture, gold symbolizes wealth and success, often used in traditional practices like gifting gold coins during the Lunar New Year for good fortune. The character '金' also appears in many idiomatic expressions and proverbs related to prosperity.
In Western cultures, gold is often associated with luxury and financial security, but in China, it holds deeper cultural significance linked to good fortune and status.
Word Family of 金
Compound Meaning
What does 鉴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 金
Common phrases that include 金 (jīn) are '金钱' (jīnqián) meaning 'money', and '黄金' (huángjīn) meaning 'gold' or 'golden'. These phrases are often used in financial or valuable contexts.